Hanover school gets positive start to new school year

Organisations partner to assist school with back-to-school supplies

THE CHUKKA Foundation, Lets Limited, and Hanover Charities recently partnered in assisting the children of the Pumpkin Bottom community in Hanover with back-to-school supplies for the new school year.

The three organisations wanted to help to enable the children of Pumpkin Bottom to start the year on a positive note and support their academic success.

“We believe that supporting children through education is the key to reducing poverty,” stated Chukka Foundation manager, Sheona Muschette.

Supplies were provided to 100 children in the Pumpkin Bottom community ranging from the earlychildhood up to the secondary level. Neveast Supplies Ltd also assisted with this special event.

According to Muschette, the initiative to assist the children and families in the Hanover community was undertaken specifically to help ease financial expenses. “The cost of pencils, crayons, books, and other supplies easily adds up at the beginning of each academic year. Families are focusing on their daily needs, and the extra pressure to fund school supplies is one more challenge and stress,” she added.

Chukka Sandy Bay is located across from the Pumpkin Bottom community, and Chukka, Lets Ltd, and Hanover Charities were keen on showing their support by helping the children. It was a fun and relaxed afternoon. The children played at the community playground, then there was the presentation of gifts, followed by refreshments. Parents and grandparents attended and offered their support to the sponsors.

In addition to supplying the Pumpkin Bottom community, the Chukka Foundation is also providing assistance to 10 community schools around all the Chukka locations across the island with back-to-school supplies.

Chukka offers a variety of tours throughout Jamaica, from White River Valley in St Mary across to Sandy Bay, Hanover and Mayfield in Westmoreland.

The Chukka Foundation feels strongly about developing relationships and partnering closely with rural and local schools offering their support where possible.

In addition to Neveast Supplies Ltd, which provided the school supplies, other partners included Falmouth Jamaica Land Company, the local affiliate for Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines.

They provided small cabin fridges that will be useful within the schools, Muschette said, noting that each sector brings in useful resources and assistance, all with a common vision to help communities.

“The partnership has been beneficial and rewarding for everyone concerned,” stated the Chukka Foundation chairman.

The early-childhood and primary students of Pumpkin Bottom awaiting their supplies.

The Lets Ltd and Chukka team giving blessings before the presentation.

Dorothy Marzouca and a young Pumpkin Bottom resident deep in conversation.

From left: Latanya Dawes and Dorothy Marzouca (Lets Ltd), Katrin Casserly (Hanover Charities), Sheona Muschett (Chukka Foundation), and Kadeisha Moodie (Hanover Charities), share lens time during a recent back-to-school treat at Pumpkin Bottom in Hanover.

A little boy looking though his school supplies during the Chukka Foundation-Lets Limited back-to-school treat at Pumpkin Bottom in Hanover.